I shall take the first brigade and half the artillery with me down the Pennington road. The rest of the detachment under command of General Green will take the river road. It should take us about four hours to reach the outposts of Trenton. Now, it is necessary for us to attack simultaneously, so will the officers all set their watches with mine. It is now just five o'clock and ten minutes. At nine o'clock, attack! Let every man march quietly, keep in good order in the ranks, give prompt obedience to his officers, and bear in mind the watchword--_Victory or Death!_ March your men off! VOICES First Regiment--Second Regiment--Company--Company--(_etc._) ANNOUNCER Thus, on that cold and stormy December morning, the half frozen, desperate band of ragamuffin soldiers started its march toward Trenton--toward its last forlorn hope. Washington prayed that he might catch the garrison of Hessians unsuspecting and unprepared; but he feared that he had taken so long to effect the crossing of the ice-filled river that he could not surprise the enemy! As a matter of fact, warning was sent to Colonel Rall, but that officer, secure in his belief that no effective force of Colonial soldiers could be sent against him, paid no attention to the warning. It was nearly nine o'clock when the Corporal of the advance guard of Washington's detachment hurried back to report to the General. CORPORAL General Washington, we've sighted the enemy outpost. WASHINGTON Good! Halt the brigade, Knox. KNOX Brigade! VOICES Company--company! (_etc._) KNOX Halt! WASHINGTON It lacks five minutes of the time set! Oh, Corporal-- CORPORAL Yes, sir? WASHINGTON Did you see any sign of General Green's command on the river road? CORPORAL We saw 'em a half hour ago, sir, as we came over that hill back there. WASHINGTON Were they abreast of us? CORPORAL Yes, sir, a little ahead of us, sir. WASHINGTON Good. General Knox. KNOX Yes, sir. WASHINGTON This storm has likely ruined the flintlocks. KNOX No doubt of that, sir--we'll have to use bayonets. WASHINGTON Order bayonets fixed, and the troops deployed ready to charge bayonets on command. KNOX Brigade, fix bayonets! (_voices repeat order, etc._) Shall the artillery lead or follow, sir? WASHINGTON Follow and take position at the head of every street. KNOX Very good, sir. WASHINGTON Hm--two minutes--order the troops deployed. KNOX Deploy your troops--prepare to charge bayonets! (_command repeated--mob noise as order is obeyed_) WASHINGTON Keep your ears open for firing--it's nearly time. (_musketry_) KNOX There it is, sir! WASHINGTON Green has started! Order the charge, Knox! And God be with us! KNOX Forward! Charge bayonets! Ho! (_a great roar from the mob as the charge begins_) ANNOUNCER